New dedicated parks institute launched

Thursday 30 November, saw the official launch of the Parks and Green Space Institute at the Bridging the Gap conference, being held at the Royal Geographical Society, London.

The Institute, a partnership between GreenSpace and the soon to be operational Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure (ISPAL), will serve and represent members in the parks and open space sector. It will drive up standards, implement clear and consistent career paths and support the skilled workforce required to manage and maintain parks and green spaces in the 21st century.

Members of the Institute will receive a range of quality services, including advice, information, training and qualifications. They will have the opportunity to enhance their continuing professional development (CPD) by attending the range of training courses, conferences and workshops which will be delivered by the Institute in partnership with others. Members will be able to share good practice to help develop the many different skills required of a modern parks and green space professional.

Market research, undertaken by GreenSpace in August 2006 amongst its members and others in the parks and green space sector, found that 85% of respondents felt there was a need for an institute solely dedicated to parks and green space issues. Being fully independent, although linked to the strong 'families' of GreenSpace and ISPAL, will ensure that the Institute is able to lobby for improvements on a national scale and ensure that parks and green space issues remain firmly on the political agenda.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Paul Bramhill, Chief Executive of GreenSpace, said "As the lead organisation in the parks and green space sector, we are delighted to be working with ISPAL to launch the Parks and Green Space Institute, which will we hope will be a successful partnership to represent those working, either professionally or voluntarily, in this sector. While developing the skills of parks professionals will be its primary concern, the Institute will provide strong links to the sport and leisure industry and other professional institutes to help to unite this traditionally fragmented sector."

David Teasdale, Interim Chief Executive of ISPAL, added "ISPAL is a challenging new force in the sport, parks and leisure industry, which will ever strive to deliver the very best to its members. This partnership with GreenSpace is an example; we believe that via this new, shared Institute, we will best serve and represent members and the parks interests."